HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Tamarac Resolution R-2008-038' Temp. Reso. 11374
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March 20, 2008
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA
RESOLUTION R2008- 38
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA, OPPOSING THE TAXATION AND
BUDGET REFORM COMMISSION'S CONSTITUTIONAL
PROPOSALS 21 AND 45 TO AMEND SECTIONS 1, 3, 4
AND 6 OF ARTICLE VII OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION;
OPPOSING THE CREATION OF SECTION 19 OF ARTICLE
VII OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION; OPPOSING THE
CREATION OF SECTION 27 OF ARTICLE XII OF THE
STATE CONSTITUTION; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE
TAXATION AND BUDGET REFORM COMMISSION;
PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
I
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida (hereinafter
referred to as the "City") is the level of government closest to the people it serves;
and
WHEREAS, the citizens of the City elect City Commissioners who are
charged with balancing the needs of the City and determining the appropriate
funding to support the provision of essential services to the residents of the City; and
WHEREAS, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission has the unique
opportunity to review all state and local tax and budget issues and offer
comprehensive solutions to improve efficiency, reduce inequities, and streamline
government revenues; and
WHEREAS, the Taxation and Budget Commission does not recognize the
challenges of Florida's local governments to provide services to an aging population,
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maintain deteriorating infrastructure, and bear significant increases in operational
and capital costs; and
WHEREAS, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is considering
amendments to the Florida Constitution relating to property tax reform that will
severely impact local governments; and
WHEREAS, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission membership does
not include County or City Commissioners who are responsible for annually crafting
a local government's budget and providing essential services to its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is considering at
least two constitutional proposals which will be detrimental to the quality of services I
offered to the citizens and residents of the City of Tamarac; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission deems it to be in the best interests of the
citizens and residents of the City to oppose certain constitutional proposals being
considered by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, as set out in greater
detail herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA THAT:
Section 1. The foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are hereby ratified and
confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this
Resolution.
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Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Tamarac hereby finds that the
Taxation and Budget Reform Commission has not offered a solution to the State of
Florida's obsolete tax structure. The City Commission hereby further finds that the
Constitutional Proposals being considered by the Taxation and Budget Reform
Commission would result in a reduction in services that could significantly jeopardize
the quality of life in the City of Tamarac, which has been a proud distinction of may City
residents.
Section 3. The City Commission hereby specifically opposes Constitutional
Proposal 21 being considered by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission for the
' following reasons:
1) It provides for a 25% super -exemption for homestead and non -
homestead improved residential properties that will jeopardize the tax base of
Florida counties and cities, including the City of Tamarac;
2) It will reduce the annual assessment increases of non -homestead
properties from 10% to 5% before the true impact of Amendment 1 has been
determined;
3) It will create a temporary half -cent sales tax to replace school districts'
lost revenues while ignoring counties and cities; and
4) It would increase ad valorem tax burden on local businesses.
Section 4. The City Commission hereby specifically opposes Constitutional
Proposal 45 being considered by the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission for the
following reasons:
1) It would provide for the "Taxpayers' Bill of Rights" modeled after a failed
experiment in the State of Colorado; and
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2) It would limit local government revenues and require voter approval for
all new taxes and fees, thereby hindering local officials' ability to make the
decisions they were elected to make under the principals of representative
democracy on which our nation was founded.
Section 5. The City Clerk is hereby directed to provide a certified copy of this
Resolution to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
Section 6. All resolutions or parts of resolutions on in conflict herewith be,
and the same are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 7. If any clause, section, other part or application of this Resolution is
held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, in part or
application, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this
Resolution. I
Section 8. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its
passage and adoption.
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March 20, 2008
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
TAMARAC, FLORIDA THIS c; DAY OF _)21-4-4Tl'.. , 2008.
ATTEST:
.���rs.�ytS�A(,U�/�9-lei✓
MARION SWENSON, CMG
CITY CLERK
I HEREBY CERTIFY that
I have approved this
RESOLUTION as to form.
SAMUEL S. GOREN
CITY ATTORNEY
IF1
CITY OF TAMARAC, FLO A
Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco, Mayor
RECORD OF COMMISSION VOTE:
MAYOR FLANSBAUM-TALABISCO�
DIST 1: COMM PORTNER
DIST 2: COMM ATKINS-GRAD
DIST 3: VIM SULTANOF
DIST 4: COMM. DRESSLER
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